Biomed, 
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lUTHERM  REGIONAL  LIBRAR  /  f  ACjUT  ' 


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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


s^^y 


V 


iisrsTRUCTioisrs 


FOR 


MOUNTING 


iSfifiSiai.  If 


^ 


CHEOPLASTIC  PROCESS. 


BALTIMORE: 

PRINTED      BY      JOHN      W.      WOODS 

1867. 


sou 
l^^7 


INSTRUCTIONS 


FOR      THOSE 


MOUNTING     TEETH 


CHEOPLASTIC    PROCESS 


For  a  fall  upper,  loioer  or  double  set- — Take  the  im- 
pression as  usual,  in  wax  or  plaster ;  plaster  being 
generally  preferred,  from  its  greater  accuracy,  and  of 
course  to  be  preferred  for  this  process,  as  the  superior 
fit  results  from  the  metal  giving  the  exact  counterpart 
of  the  impression/ 

^Surround  the  impression  as  high  as  its  margin,  with 
softened  putty,  or  any  plastic  substance,  as  clay  or 
dough,  {puttyhQiYig  the  best,  and  easily  procured,  from 
its  greater  cleanliness,  the  facility  with  which  it  is 
kept  in  constant  readiness  for  use  by  oiling  and  beat- 

1.  For  deep  palates,  raise  the  centre  of  the  impression  cup  with  wax,  some 
using  before  introducing  it  a  spatula  to  cover  the  roof  of  the  mouth  with  plaster. 
Salt  should  be  used  in  plaster  to  quicken  the  set.  Sulphate  of  potash  is  said  to 
be  better  for  this  purpose  as  free  from  taste.  It  s^^ould  be  mixed  thin,  stirred 
until  it  begins  to  thicken  and  used  expeditiously.  In  four  or  five  minutes  it 
will  be  hard. 

2.  The  impression,  if  of  plaster,  should  have  the  chamber  or  central  cavity 
cut  at  this  time  and  well  varnished  so  as  to  afford  an  easy  delivery  of  the  cast  to 
be  made  from  it.  If  of  wax,  the  chamber  cut  with  a  sharp  blade  suitable  for 
this  purpose  and  slightly  warmed,  thus  any  form  of  cavity  is  easily  given  and 
shaped  as  required  with  sharp  or  even  acute  edges,  or  rounded  as  the  operator 
requires. 


ing,  when  it  acquires  a  dryness,  then  kept  covered  by 
water,  a  small  quantity  can  be  used  for  months,  with- 
out loss  or  objection,)  it  should  be  so  surrounded  as 
to  allow  the  placing  of  a  tiyi  rim,  as  represented  in 
the  following  cut. 


Great  care  should  be  taken  to  use  a  ring  that  will 
surround  the  impression  fully  a  \  of  an  inch  and  at 
least  1  in.  or  1^  in.  behind  the  termination  of  ridge 
as  represented,  this  is  to  allow  of  a  partition  sur- 
face for  the  two  parts  of  the  matrices  to  divide  upon, 
and  the  enlargement  behind  the  ridge  to  afford  depth 
for  gate  as  well  as  for  articulating  surface  needed  in 
taking  the  bite  of  the  mouth. 

Cut  1  represents  the  impression  of  the  mouth  ;  fig.  3,  surrounded  with  putty ; 
fig.  2,  as  high  as  the  margin,  with  a  tin  rim  ;  fig.  1,  lightly  imbedded,  so  placed 
as  to  allow  of  }4,  to  14  in.  around  and  13^  in.  behind  the  impression;  fig.  4 
shows  the  chamber  or  air  cavity  previously  cut. 


nen 


The  impression  should  now  be  oiled,  as  well  as  all 
surfaces  exposed  inside  of  the  ring,  which  is  now  pre- 
pared to  receive  the  plaster  and  spar,  generally  used 
in  equal  jDarts  by  weight,  well  mixed  and  made  about 
as  liquid  as  cream,  with  pure  water,  when  it  should  be 
poured  and  kept  stirred  into  the  impression  with  a 
camel's-hair  pencil  or  feather  until  it  has  began  to  set, 
then  filled  to  the  depth  of  |  of  an  inch.  If  properly 
stirred,  it  will  come  away  from  the  impression  with 
a  perfectly  smooth  surface,  free  from  all  bubbles  or 
wanting  parts  by  confinement  of  air,  which  of  course 
is  a  great  necessity.  When  hard,  remove  the  ring 
and  putty  and  carefully  separate  the  cast  from  the 
impression,  which  need  not  necessarily  be  sacrificed, 
but  in  cases  of  very  projecting  alveolus,  the  impres- 
sion should  be  cut  through  until  th6  color  of  the  var- 
nish is  reached,  at  those  points  where  the  ridge  binds 
in  the  impression,  then  by  gently  tapping  the  part 
cut,  it  will  break  off  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  read- 
ily replaced,  and  thus  permit  any  number  of  casts  to 
be  taken  from  the  same  impression.  The  air  cavity 
can  now,  if  necessary,  be  somewhat  altered  by  trim- 
ming, and  made  perfectly  smooth.  This  cavity  should 
always  be  made  previous  to  obtaining  the  composition 
cast,  but  when  omitted  can  be  formed  by  placing  a 
flattened  plate  of  wax  with  the  size  and  form  of  the 
desired  chamber  cut  from  it,  the  thickness  of  the  wax 
representing  the  depth  of  the  air  cavity  ;  press  the 
wax  down  carefully  upon  the  cast,  the  chamber  being 
placed  in  its  proper  position,  then  moisten  the  sur- 
face of  the  cast  within  the  wax  and  pour  a  sufficient 
amount  of  the  plaster  and  spar  to  fill  the  space ;  when 


sufficiently  hardened,  warm  the  wax  and  remove  it, 
leaving,  if  carefully  done,  a  good  substitute  for  a 
chamber  formed  in  the  impression. 

Casts  made  of  the  foregoing  are  not  as  hard,  when 
ordinarily  formed,  as  when  made  of  plaster  only,  but 
sufficiently  so  for  all  purposes,  and  when  hardened  by 
the  use  of  'Fuch's  soluble  glass,  possess  a  much  great- 
er density  and  strength  than  can  ever  be  required.  I 
have  made  many  sets  of  teeth  by  this  means,  upon 
the  same  model  and  left  them  still  good. 

To  form  the  pattern  of  plate,  at  the  same  time 
afford  means  for  obtaining  the  articulation  or  bite  of 
the  mouth,  a  material  must  be  used  that  permits  an 
accurate  adaptation,  and  at  the  same  time  not  re- 
quiring iDressure  to  obtain  this  accuracy,  otherwise 
the  perfection  of  the  whole  process  would  be  impeded, 
this  is  fully  accomplished  by  using  wax  rolled  into 
sheets  ^^^  inch  thick,  and  sufficiently  large  as  to  cover 
the  required  surface  of  cast,  (Cut  2,)  the  cast  is  first 
protected   by  modeling  down  upon  it  a  plate  of  tin 


Fig.  2. 


foil,  such  as  is  used  by  druggists,  with  the  finger  as- 


1.  This  is  made  by  fusing  15  parts  pulverized  silex  or  pure  sand,  10  parts  of  carb 
potashes,  1  part  of  pulverized  charcoal,  well  mixed  and  thoroughly  vitrified  in 
a  white  Hessian  crucible,  previously  washed  with  good  clay  and  luted.  The  glass 
is  then  taken  from  the  crucible,  cleansed  and  pulverized,  the  impurities  must 
now  be  dissolved  out  by  cold  water,  and  when  thoroughly  washed  may  be  dis- 
solved in  hot  water.  In  using,  it  must  be  diluted  in  small  quantities  and  brushed 
over  the  surface  of  the  cast.  Some  use  carb.  potash  70  parts,  carb.  soda  54  parts, 
silex  152, 

Cut  2  is  the  thickness  of  wax  plate  used,  and  is  made  by  rolling  wax,  that  is 
not  cold  but  just  free  from  coldness,  upon  a  smooth  board  and  wooden  roller, 
bathed  in  lukeioarm  water.     Worked  at  this  temperature  it  becomes  tough. 


sisted  by  a  hard  roll  of  soft  leather,  (Cut  3,)  the 

Cut  3. 


sheet  wax  is  then  carefully  modeled  down  upon  the 
tin  foil  plate,  and  neatly  trimmed  to  the  size  and  ex- 
tension of  the  metal  plate,  (Cut  4,)  for  all  upper  sets 


Cut    4. 


form  a  second  tin  foil  plate  upon  the  wax  and  then 
place  a  rim  of  wax  for  the  impression  of  the  lower 
teeth  as  in  old  processes  ;  this  rim  must  be  carefully 

Cut  3.  Are  made  of  lightly  rolled  chamois  leather,  used  for  shading  in  draw- 
ing and  are  called  dubbs.  The  large  size  is  made  more  blunt  than  the  figure  for 
pressing  the  foil  and  wax  plate  down  upon  the  cast.  The  smaller  for  pressing 
the  strips  of  wax  between  the  teeth  upon  the  outside,  both  prove  very  servicea- 
ble.    Can  be  had  at  drug  stores  generally. 

Cut  4.  Shows  the  wax  plate,  letter  D  covering  the  tin,  with  the  chamber  B, 
raised  above  the  composition  cast,  which  gives  the  thickness  required  in  this  cast. 


6 


trimmed  to  the  desired  length  and  fulhiess.  To 
stiffen  the  plate,  warm  a  small  ball  of  wax  until  it 
has  become  soft  and  pliant,  then  press  it  with  care 
all  over  the  surface  of  the  upper  tin  plate  inside  the 
rim,  cool  it  in  water  forming  a  plate  that  the  most 
difficult  articulation  can  be  taken  with  never  failing 
certainty,    (Cuts    5    and    6.)      Taking  it   from   the 

Cut  5. 


mouth  it  is  placed  upon  the  cast,  (a  fac  simile,)  two 
or  three  small  holes  are  now  formed  upon  the  part 
extending  one  and  a  half  in.  behind  the  plate  for 
articulating  surface  ;  putty  is  built  around  the  out- 
side and  a  little  above  the  rim  of  wax  carrying  the 
impression  of  the  lower  teeth,  and  continued  back 
behind  the  cast  so  as  to  surround  the  surface  wherein 
the  holes  have  been  made,  the  whole  surface  within 
the  putty  is  oiled  and  carefully  filled  with  plaster. 


Cut  5.  A  is  the  cast  with  the  holes  to  fix  the  cast  about  to  be  taken.  D  the  pjate 
of  tin  foil  and  wax  covered  with  tin,  B  the  chamber,  and  C  the  rim  of  wax  trim- 
med to  take  the  impression  of  the  lower  teeth  which  are  imperfectly  represented. 


When  hardened,  the  putty  is  removed,  the  plaster 
model  of  lower  teeth  is  carefully  separated  from  the 
composition  cast,  wax  rim  cut  off,  wax  stiffener  and 


Cut  6. 


upper  tin  plate  both  removed  together,  when  you 
have  the  wax  pattern  plate  ready  to  receive  the 
teeth  as  represented  in  Cut  7. 

It  would  be  well  to  place  upon  the  foil  plate  before 
fitting  the  wax,  one  or  two  narrow  strips  of  foil  over 
the  prominent  ridges  of  the  alveolus,  so  that  in  ad- 
justing the  teeth  the  proper  space  may  not  be  de- 
creased from  under  them,  which  is  almost  unavoida- 
ble where  the  alveolar  border  is  sharp  or  pointed. 
The  several  layers  of  foil  will  prevent  this  space  be- 
tween the  base  of  the  teeth  and  the  cast,  being  so 
much  lessened  as  would  exclude  the  metal  flowing 
at  such  points.     Without  this  care  a  beginner   will 

Cot  6.  Is  the  same,  only  stiflfened  before  placing  in  the  mouth  by  the  softened 
wax,  E. 


be  liable  to  press  the  wax  from  under  the  teeth  so 
much  as  to  produce  holes  in  the  plate  at  such  points, 
as  well  as  the  want  of  metal  forming  the  pins 
through  the  teeth,  lateral  grooves,  or  dovetails,  as 
the  case  may  be. 

Cut  7. 


The  process  for  obtaining  the  articulation  in  a  dou- 
ble set  is  much  the  same  as  in  all  methods ;  the  plates 
are  made  as  before  described,  a  tin  foil  plate  mod- 
eled upon  both  casts  followed  by  the  wax  plate, 
which  is'  again  covered  by  foil  (to  protect  it  from  in- 
jury, by  the  adhesion  of  the  subsequent  wax  placed 
upon  it  and  to  admit  of  its  being  easily  removed,) 
rims  of  wax  are  neatly  trimmed  and  modeled  upon 
these  plates,  which  must  now  be  strengthened  by 
strips  of  wax  or  better  as  before  described,  that  is 
filling  inside  the  rim,  softened  wax  so  as  to  cover  the 
whole  plate  which  is  protected  as  remarked  by  the 
foil  from  injuring  the  wax  plate  beneath. 

Cut  7.  A  cast  j  D  wax  plate  ready  to  receive  the  teeth;  E  is  the  plaster  model  of 
lower  teeth  and  articulated  to  the  composition  cast  by  means  of  the  projecting 
surface  having  small  holes  for  dowel  pins  to  enter,  which  are  made  in  the  plaster 
cast  as  described. 


9 


To  strengthen  the  lower   plate,  if  the  rim  of  wax 
is  not   sufficient,  take  a  narrow  strip   of  any  metal 
which  may  be  bent  into  the  desired   circle,  so  as  to 
fit  along  the  inside  of  the  plate  as  low  down  as  con- 
venient, it  is  then   covered   over  and  miited  to   the 
foil  plate  by  warm  or  melted  wa:^,  so  that  this  metal 
rim  must  be  bent  before  position  of  plate  can   be 
disturbed.     If  the   outside    of  the   plate  be  broad, 
it  should  be  stiffened  by  making  the    rim  of  wax 
cover    it.       The    plates    are    placed   in    the    mouth 
and  the  rims  of  wax   are  altered,  if  need  be,  to  rep- 
resent the   proper  length  of  the  desired  teeth   and 
made  to  close  so  as  their  whole  surfaces  strike  even- 
ly at  the  same  time.     The   patient  should  be  made 
to  close  the  mouth  with  a  careless  rapidity,  the  ope- 
rator can  thus  see  the  true  position,  and  marking  the 
wax  rims  by   lines   crossing  at   various  points,  com- 
me7ici7ig  icitJi  the  median  line.     The  plates  can  be   re- 
moved from  the   mouth  separately  and   placed  to- 
gether as  in  the  mouth  with    certainty,  firmly  held 
in  this   adjusted  position  by  melted  wax ;  place  the 
upper  plate  upon  its  cast,  with  the  under  one  thus 
attached  ;  fill  in  with  putty  the  space  presenting  in- 
side the  plates  back  to  the  articulating  surface  form- 
ed in  the  upper  cast,  and  as  high  up  as  the  inner  edge 
of  the  lower  plate,  then  with  the  aid  of  the  tin  rim 
placed  around   the    upper  cast,   but  placed  so  as  to 
extend  a  little  above  the  outside  edge  of  lower  plate, 
then  all  unnecessary  spaces  filled   with  putty,    the 
whole  surface  oiled,  or  washed  with  thick  soap  water 
and  plaster  poured  in,  which  forms  with  the  addi- 
tion of  but  one    cast,  the  correct   articulation  for  a 


10 


double  set.  Of  course  the  usual  processes  can  be 
used  if  preferred,  as  wholly  of  two  plaster  casts,  or 
with  the  hinged  metal  articulator.  After  harden- 
ing and  sejDarating,  remove  the  rims  of  wax  and 
stifFeners  as  before  described,  leaving  the  wax  plates 
ready  for  the  adjustment  of  the  teeth. 

It  would  be  well  to  add,  as  recommended  in  former 
book  of  instruction,  a  strip  of  soft  wax  to  the  rims  used 
in  getting  bite  of  the  mouth,  or  impression  of  lower 
teeth,  so  that  the  rims,  or  the  lower  teeth,  may  im- 

Cur  8. 


Cut.  9. 


Cut  8.  A  represents  a  plaster  articulating  model,  with  the  wax  rims  too  long 
in  front,  requiring  to  be  cut  down  so  as  their  whole  surfaces  should  touch ;  A  and 
B,  the  upper  and  under  halves ;  a,  the  edges  of  wax  plate ;  b,  the  plate  with 
wax  rims  resting  upon  them.  The  two  first  models  represent  the  rims  as 
they  may  be  in  the  mouth. 

Cut  9.  The  same,  with  wax  rims  adjusted,  median  line  marked  to  centre  the 
teeth. 


11 


bed  themselves  freely.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  be 
more  explicit  upon  this  point,  as  every  operator  is 
fully  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  accuracy,  the  objects 
and  means  being  the  same  in  all  cases  alike. 

Cut  10. 


In  fitting  the  teeth  to  the  plate,  they  require  in  a 
large  majority  of  cases,  only  lateral  grinding,  which 
must  be  accurate  ;  the  metal  in  flowing,  forming  their 
beds  or  base,  so  that  they  need  not  be  touched  at 
these  points,  except  when  the  prominences  of  ridge 
make  them  too  long,  when  they  may  be  readily  cut 
down,  preserving  only  the  outer  or  gum  surface  perfect. 
When  blocks  are  used  for  this  process,  they  require 
the  joints  to  be  well  fitted  on  both  sides  of  the  gum, 
as  represented,  to  prevent  the  metal  flowing  into  these 
joints,  and  exposing  this  carelessness.  There  is  no 
fear  of  chipping  or  spawling  of  the  teeth,  nor  of  their 
altering  their  positions  so  much  to  be  dreaded  in  sol- 
dering ;  precisely  as  they  are  placed  and  worked,  so 
will  they  result.  As  each  tooth  is  ground  sufficiently 
to  accommodate  its  neighbor,  it  should  be  held  in  its 
position  by  a  small  quantity  of  melted  wax,  run  under 
its  base,  from  the  point  of  the  knife  or  shaping  tool, 

Cut  10.  Wax  rims  removed  and  teeth  ground  and  modeled,  ready  to  try  in 
the  mouth,  when  they  are  taken  from  these  models  and  placed  upon  the  cast  for 
upper  matrix. 


12 


Cdt.  11. 


care  being  observed  not  to  use  too  much,  so  as  to 
form  a  lump  ;  hold  the  tooth  firmly  with  as  little 
wax  as  possible  ;  after  all  are  ground  and  fitted,  take 
a  narrow  strip  of  plate  wax  and  pass  around  the  inside 
of  the  teeth,  its  width  being  indicated  by  the  length 

Cut  12. 


of  crowns  from  the  plate  ;  then  with  the  small  leather 
dub  or  small  brush,  press  the  wax  carefully  in  be- 
tween the  neck  of  the  teeth,  cutting  off  all  superfluous 
wax  and  finishing  up  as  smoothly  as  possible  ;  a  nar- 
row strip  is  now  carried    around  the  outside,  placed 

Cut  12,  exhibits  the  teeth  ground  or  fitted  to  the  plate  and  rims  of  wax 
placed  around  them,  smoothed  with  the  brushes  or  instruments,  and  polished 
with  the  blow-pipe ;  A,  cast  showing  the  plate  of  teeth  fitted  closely  down  upon 
it,  and  the  small  holes  by  which  the  articulating  plaster  cast  is  held  in  its  proper 
place;  B,  chamber;  D,  wax  plate;  F,  the  strips  of  wax  added,  and  fitted 
smoothly  around  the  teeth.  This  represents  the  piece  ready  to  receive  the  tin 
rim  to  make  the  upper  flask. 


13 


on  the  groove  in  the  gum,  (if  gum  teeth  are  used,) 
made  for  this  purpose,  and  resting  on  the  wax  plate  ; 
a  Uttle  melted  wax  holds  this  strip  all  round,  and  the 
warm  knife  smooths  it  partially  down;  when  plain 
teeth  are  used,  the  strip  should  run  up  upon  the 
crowns,  and  be  gently  pressed  in  between  the  teeth ; 
the  wax  thus  left  upon  the  teeth  should  be  cut  in  small 
circles  from  off  their  surfaces,  leaving  little  points  of 
wax  in  between  the  teeth,  this  enables  the  operator 
to  model  it  around  them  in  a  beautiful  manner  ;  when 
the  wax  is  made  as  smooth  as  possible  in  and  around 
the  teeth,  a  small  blow-pipe  and  spirit  lamp  are  used, 
and  by  short,  gentle  puffs,  the  wax  is  made  to  flow, 
presenting  a  beautifully  polished  surface.  Upon  this 
depends  all  the  labor  of  finishing ;  for,  after  a  little 
practice,  when  properly  done,  it  is  a  work  of  no 
moment. 

Cut  13. 


At  this  stage  it  is  best  to  try  the  teeth  in  the  mouth, 
as  any  oversight  or  omission  can  be  certainly  and 
safely  corrected  without  any  danger  to  the  piece, 
giving  the  greatest  advantage  of  the  process,  and  one 

Cut  13.  A  is  the  cast;  D,  wax  plate,  and  teeth  mounted ;  F,  colored  strip  of 
wax  modeled  around  the  teeth. 


14 


Cut  14.  that   is   iiivaluable    to    the 

artist  in  this  business.  When 
satisfied  upon  all  points,  it 
should  be  taken  from  the 
mouth  and  placed  at  once 
upon  the  cast ;  the  plate  care- 
fully pressed  down  at  every 
point  with  the  brushes  ;  Cut 
No.  14.  The  close  adapta- 
tion of  the  wax  plate  is  ab- 
solutely necessary  for  expe- 
dition of  finish,  and  can  be 
done  perfectly,  with  the 
greatest  ease,  by  these  little 
implements.  If  it  is  done 
well,  the  plate  needs  no  sup- 
port ;  if  not  so  done,  it  must 
be  supported  in  its  position 
by  tying  a  thread  over  the 
molars  and  around  the  cast. 
The  tin  rim,  by  which  the 
cast  was  made,  is  now  placed 
around.  Cut  15,  projecting  some  distance  above  the 
teeth,  the  surface  of  the  cast  inside  the  rim  and  out- 
side of  the  wax  plate  should  be  freely  oiled  or  painted 
with  the  strong  soap  water,  to  make  it  part  freely, 
aud  the  upper  flask  or  matrix  poured  little  by  little 
carefully  in,  of  the    same  composition  as  the  other, 


Cut  14  are  brushes  which  can  be  used  with  much  advantage;  the  largest  is 
very  soft  hair,  used  for  pressing  down  the  wax  plate  upon  the  cast  before  making 
upper  matrix,  and  will  not  deface  the  polish  of  the  wax  plate.  The  smaller  ones 
are  intended  to  smooth  the  wax  between  the  teeth  and  at  such  other  points  as 
the  knife  or  instruments  cannot  be  used  without  defacing  the  Wax. 


I 


15 


covering  the  teeth  to  the  depth  of  |  inch,  excluding 
all  air-bubbles  and  securing  the  absolute  filling  of 
the  spaces  around  and  between  the  teeth,  by  the  aid 
of  the  camel's-hair  pencil  or  feather,  with  which  it 
should  be  kept  stirred  until  it  begins  to  set.  When 
hard,  remove  the  rim  and  tap  the  part  first  made 
gently  until  the  two  parts  loosen,  when  they  may 
be  separated. 

Cut  16.  The  gate  should  always  be  cut  from  the 
part  containing  the  teeth  and  plate,  and  done  when 
removed,  before  wax  plate  is  taken  out,  to  prevent 
small  pieces  falling  in,  &c.  The  wax  plate  and  as 
much  of  the  wax  as  possible,  used  in  building  around 
the  teeth,  should  now  be  removed,  for  although  the 

Cut  15  shows  the  plate  ready  for  upper  matrix,  with  the  tin  rim,  fig.  1,  fig. 
5  being  the  point  of  separation.  The  plate  has  been  pressed  closely  down  upon 
cast;  A,  composition  cast ;  B,  chamber ;  D,wax  plate;  F,  the  added  strip  of 
colored  wax  used  to  build  around  the  teeth. 


16 


Cut  16. 


flask  will  absorb  it,  yet  the  melted  and  absorbed  wax 
softens  and  weakens  the  (composition,  inducing  a  rough 
and  strained  condition  of  plate  in  pouring,  for  the 
metal  shouhl  always  l>e  poured  fast  and  freely  into  the 
mould,  vents  cut  as  re})resentcd  at  the  highest  point, 
or  last  run.  To  obtain  a  smooth  surface,  and  to  aid 
the  metal  in  flowing,  it  is  well  to  hold  the  surfaces 
over  a  gas-light  or  candle  flame,  until  tliey  are  covered 
with  the  carbonaceous  matter  from  the  smoke  ;  a 
slight  coat  is  suflicient.  After  all  the  wax  is  removed, 
gate  and  vents  cut,  the  two  parts  of  the  mould  should 
be  jdaced  together  and  (irmly  bound  with  iron  wire, 
passing  around  at  least  twice  and  then  twisted  down 
tight ;  then  carefully  lute  the  surface  of  joint  with  the 
])l;ister  and  spar  from  one  vent  to  the  other,  as  well 
as  tiie  under  surface  of  impression  cast  to  assist  it  in 
retaining  its  strength.  The  piece  is  now  placed  in  a 
bake   oven  of  a  stove    or   range,  or  any  vessel    in 

Cut  10  iH  tlie  iiintrix  niado  over  pinto  and  teeth  with  one-half  removed  of  the 
wax,  HhowiiifT  the  position  of  tlie  teeth.  A,  cast  or  matrix  ;  U,  gate  cut  for  nie- 
tnl  to  bo  poured  in,  with  vent  on  either  side ;  C,  remaining  half  of  plate ; 
H,  chamber. 


I 


17 


which  a  good  bread  baking  heat  can  be  obtained/'^ 
and  exposed  to  this  heat  for  at  least  three  liouns  oi- 
longer,  if  possible,  to  be  made  thoroughly  dry.  The 
motal  should  be  melted  and  made  hot,  until  of  a  light 
l)hit3  color  ;  the  cast  hotter  than  can  be  held  or  lifted 
with  the  hand,  should  be  placed  in  an  upriglit  posi- 
tion, the  metal  poured  rapidly  in,  and  should 
never  bubble,  as  this  is  certiiin  evidence  of  moisture, 
but  should  remain  ^lotionless.  The  vents  should  be 
filled  from  the  flow,  and  in  this  event,  the  piece  will 
always  prove  perfect.  Indeed,  with  suitable  preen u- 
tion,  failure  will  never  occur  ;  the  great  necessity 
Ijcing  to  have  your  flasks  pcrfcdh/  dry  iind  the  Qiu/a./ 
hot.  When  cold,  the  part  (containing  the  teetli should 
be  cut  oiTfrom  around  them,  and  thus  easily  icnioved, 
exposing  the  plate  upon  the  cast,  at  which  time  any 
rc[)airs  can  be  made  by  the  use  of  the  solders  Nos.  1 
and  2,  but  with  care  this  can  never  occur  ;  when 
it  happens,  it  is  expeditiously  repaired  by  the  use  of 
muriate  of  zincas  a  flux.f 

Carved  Blocks  for  this  process  secures  a  beautifid 
piece  of  work,  attended  oidy  by  one  of  the  usual  ob- 
jections to  this  kind  of  teeth,  that  is,  when  they  are 
broken  by  accident  or  otherwise,  a  new  block  must 

*  Tlie  lioat  should  be  as  unifoiiii  a8  possible,  and  may  ranj^o  belw<!en  :!()() 
and  400°  I>\,  but  never  allowed  to  come  in  contact  with  a  red  hot  Huiface 
or  (lame,  in  an  unwise  ellort  to  expedite  the  drying.  This  would,  drive  oil'  tlio 
water  of  crystallization  and  induce  cracks,  warpage  or  too  great  softnesH,  and 
produce  leakage  of  hot  metal  when  poured.  Should  this  ever  happen,  the  point 
of  leakage  must  bo  again  lutod  and  poured  as  soon  as  possible  again  ;  with  caro 
it  never  occurs. 

i-This  is  made  by  dissolving  pure  zinc  in  muriatic  acid  until  it  can  take  up  no 
more  of  the  metal.  This  llux  improves  by  ago,  and  should  not  bo  used,  if  possible 
to  avoid,  before  throe  months. 


18 


be  carved,  which  fails  in  almost  every  instance  to  prove 
a  fac  simile  of  the  former  piece  ;  blocks  momited  in 
this  way,  however,  can  only  break  by  unwarrantable 
use  of  them,  as  the  permanent  support  given  to 
every  portion  of  their  base  produces  a  strength* in 
them  not  attained  by  any  other  method.  Having 
had  many  workmen  calling  themselves  superior 
artists,  numerous  sets  of  block  teeth  accumulated, 
formerly  useless,  or  serviceable  only  as  specimens  of 
different  styles  of  teeth,  indeed  made  so  that  no 
former  process  could  mount  them,  but  by  this  new 
method  they  have  all  been  mounted  in  practical 
cases,  and  are  now  being  worn  in  the  mouth.  They 
were  mostly  made  in  one  solid  block,  and  certainly 
presented  the  most  beautiful  appearance,  the  only  ob- 
jection being,  that  if  accident  should  break  them,  they 
could  not  well  be  replaced.  But  the  blocks  now 
moulded  are  preferable  substitutes  for  many  reasons, 
their  great  beauty,  strength,  cheapness,  expedition 
of  mounting,  and  the  fact  of  obtaining  at  any  time 
a  perfect  fac  simile  of  such  as  may  be  broken,  will 
justly  entitle  them  to  universal  favor. 

Partial  /Sets  and  Single  Teeth  are  mounted  with  still 
greater  success  and  comparatively  a  much  less  propor- 
tionate time  than  whole  sets,  and  in  such-  cases  as 
would  present  insurmountable  obstacles  to  swaged 
plates,  such  as  a  single  tooth  or  a  partial  set  for  low- 
er jaw  ;  indeed,  to  the  expert  in  this  process,  it  mat- 
ters not  how  the  case  presents  itself,  his  success 
will  be  greater  than  ever  experienced  before.  The 
articulation  of  one  or  more  teeth  should  be  done  in  the 
mouth,  after  grinding  and  fitting  the  tooth  or  teeth 


19 


to  the  cast  and  the  piece  stiffened  as  described  ;  when 
adjusted  to  the  cast,  the  plaster  teeth  on  the  cast 
should  be  carefully  cut  off  and  surface  made  smooth, 
so  as  to  allow  an  easy  separation  of  the  two  parts. 
The  other  manipulations  are  the  same  as  described 
for  full  sets.. 

As  gilding  is  not  recommended,  the  attachments 
of  clasps  need  not  be  described  as  they  could  not  be 
used  without,  nor  will  the  subject  of  gilding  be 
treated  of 

Repairing. — Cut  out  the  broken  part  and  file  away 
the  metal  freely,  fit  in  a  tooth  and  build  around  it 
wax,  as  you  desire  the  metal  to  be  ;  make  a  gate  by 
rolling  a  piece  of  wax,  round  or  oval  shaped,  and  taper- 
ing from  \  in.  to  fe,  fix  the  small  end  to  the  largest 
surface  of  wax  which  has  been  built  around  the 
tooth ;  from  the  opposite  highest  point,  make  a  vent 
of  wax  ■§■  in.,  and  have  it  so  placed  as  to  stand  upon 
a  level  with  the  gate  ;  place  a  tin  rim  around  the 
plate  and  fill  in  with  composition  carefully  as  before  : 
when  hard,  remove  as  much  of  the  wax  forming  the 
gate  and  vent  as  possible,  and  place  the  piece  to  dry 
with  a  less  heat  than  will  melt  the  metal ;  when  thor- 
oughly dry  pour  the  metal  in  and  allow  it  to  cool, 
and  it  is  ready  for  dressing.  All  alterations  are 
most  expeditiously  done,  and  in  such  a  reliable  man- 
ner as  to  leave  no  trace  behind  of  such  changes,  by 
simply  adding  wax  to  the  plate  as  the  desired  alter- 
ations require,  involve  the  whole  in  composition 
after  forming  a  gate  and  vent  as  described,  drying 
and  pouring.  With  this  simple  process  any  desired 
repair  or  alteration  can  be  made  with  beauty  and 


20 


certainty.  It  is  very  important  that  the  operator 
should  keep  in  mind  that  he  is  modeUng  an  exact 
representation  of  the  piece  he  is  making  for  the 
mouth,  and  that  the  shghtest  imperfection  will  be 
faithfully  copied,  as  the  metal  is  capable  of  giving 
the  very  finest  possible  line,  and  that  it  is  possible 
for  him  to  execute  the  whole  of  his  work  in  this 
model  state,  so  that  when  the  piece  is  cast  he  has 
only  to  dress  it  up   with  sandpaper  and  burnisher. 

Everything  will  depend  upon  the  entire  absence 
of  moisture,  and  the  proper  heat  of  the  metal,  repre- 
sented by  its  turning  a  light  blue  color.  After  the 
piece  is  cool,  the  gate  and  vent  should  be  cut  off  with 
spring  saw  and  dressed  down  with  scrapers,  emery 
paper  or  any  instruments  the  operator  may  prefer, 
and  finally  polished  or  burnished  as  other  pieces ; 
emery,  fine  pumice  stone  or  spar  used  with  water 
and  finally  dry,  answers  best.* 

A  great  advantage  will  be  found  in  resetting  old 
icorh  upon  a  base  of  this  metal,  particularly  plates 
for  the  lower  jaw,  which,  from  the  absorption 
of  the  alveolus,  cease  to  be  worn  with  comfort,  or 
where  fruitless  attempts  have  followed  the  insertion 
of  blocks  or  continuous  gum,  or  even  single  gum  or 
plain  teeth  upon  other  metals.  Take  the  impression 
of  the  jaw,  and  proceed  as  described  in  obtaining  the 
articulation,  after  which,  prepare  the  rejected  piece 
by  cutting  off  the  plate  as  close  to  the  lower  part  of 
the  backings  of  the  block  or  single  teeth  as  possible, 
allowing  them  to  remain  united  and  retaining  their 

*  Some  use  a  metal  flask  in  order  to  prevent  accidents,  &c.,  but  with  care  it 
never  becomes  a  necessity,  nor  is  the  use  of  such  to  be  commended. 


21 


positions  with  each  other,  then  place  them  firmly 
upon  the  wax  plate  and  cover  the  backings  with  wax 
so  as  to  envelop  all  the  old  metal,  place  a  very  nar- 
row strip  of  wax  around  the  outside,  then  smooth 
all  down  with  the  knife  and  blow  pipe,  of  course 
having  articulated  them  correctly.  With  continuous 
GUM  set,  cut  all  the  platina  off  and  place  upon  the 
wax  plate,  (according  to  the  requirements  of  the  bite 
taken,)  mould  a  delicate  strip  all  around  the  edge  of 
the  gum  so  as  to  sUgldhj  imbed  the  set,  proceed  as 
mentioned  for  upper  flask — drying,  pouring,  &c. 
This  process  will  consume,  to  an  expert  workman, 
an  incredible  short  time,  and  secure  a  useful  set  of 
teeth  in  all  cases,  besides  yielding  him  in  the  ex- 
change of  metals  alone,  a  handsome  profit. 

Solder,  No.  1. — In  j)i'eparing  it  for  use,  should  be 
melted, and  whilst  hot  pressed  flat  between  two  smooth 
surfaces.  The  desired  thickness  regulated  by  the  ex- 
pedition used. 

No.  2 — Is  rolled  as  any  other  solder.  This  latter 
one  is  available  for  many  purposes,  such  as  uniting  any 
other  two  metals,  holding  them  with  great  strength. 

Soldering  is  most  readily  done  by  either  of  the 
solders  prepared  for  this  work.  No.  1  is  a  very  brit- 
tle metal,  and  not  as  pure  as  that  constituting  the 
plate,  but  flows  at  a  temperature  less  than  one-half 
of  its  melting  point,  that  is  about  180°  F.  It  should 
be  used  as  sparingly  as  possible,  by  fitting  in  pieces 
of  the  plate  metal  in  all  places  to  be  repaired,  so  that 
a  small  amount  of  solder  may  be  used  simply  to  unite 
the  two  parts.  Pieces  generally  can  be  held  in  the  hand 
whilst  using  No.  1,  and  the  place  to  be  repaired  should 


22 


be  gradually  heated  to  melting  of  the  solder  by  the 
small  blow-pipe  used  in  polishing  the  surface  of  wax 
plates,  and  used  very  much  in  the  same  manner,  that 
is,  by  gentle  puffs,  until  it  flows  suitably,  which  it  will 
do  in  all  cases.  No.  2  is  a  very  elastic  and  strong 
solder,  but  requires  a  much  higher  heat  to  fuse  it 
and  much  greater  care  to  prevent  melting  the  plate, 
as  its  flowing  occurs  a  few  degrees  below  the  melt- 
ing point. of  the  plate,  still  the  expert  will  find  no 
difficulty  in  its  use. 

Teeth  should  never  be  soldered  in  repairing,  but 
always  poured,  from  the  fact  that  in  soldering,  the 
metal  can  never  be  made  to  hold  to  the  tooth  or  to 
the  metal  pins,  but  requires  the  pressure  of  a  body 
of  melted  metal  to  force  it  in  and  around  the  points 
of  attachment  of  the  tooth.  This  must  not  be  lost 
sight  of,  for  a  tooth  which  has  been  repaired  by  sol- 
dering is  always  a  doubtful  fixture,  owing  to  the 
great  inclination  of  the  metal  when  liquid  to  run  to 
metal,  thus  drawing  away  from  the  tooth,  whilst  a 
repair  which  has  been  made  by  pouring  can  always 
be  reliable. 

BJoio-pipe. — This  should  be  very  small,  so  that  it  is 
by  considerable  pressure  that  the  air  should  be  made 
to  pass  through  it,  otherwise  you  endanger  your  wax 
plate  in  polishing,  as  well  as  your  metal  plate  in  sol- 
dering, by  throwing  too  much  heat  in  places,  or  cov- 
ering too  large  a  surface,  or  by  the  heated  air  striking 
points  where  it  is  not  wanted. 

Gating. — Always  secure  a  good  size  gate  in  length 
and  thickness.  If  the  plate  to  be  poured  is  very  thin, 
see  that  the  gate  extends  into  the  plate  some  distance, 


23 


by  cutting  out  from  its  surface  a  small  plate  groove, 
extending,  say  half  way  over  the  chamber,  which  will 
give  an  increased  thickness  of  the  plate  at  this  point, 
which  can  be  easily  cut  away  after  pouring. 

Venting  should  be  well  secured  by  presenting  a 
free  opening  upon  both  sides  of  the  gate,  so  that  air 
and  gas  may  pass  out  without  obstruction. 

Polishing  Wax  Plate. — This  should  be  done  with 
great  care  so  that  the  wax  shall  not  run  over  the 
teeth,  or  in  any  spot  where  the  metal  is  not  required, 
as  it  is  sometimes  tedious  and  even  difficult  to  cut  it 
away  from  between  the  teeth  or  their  joints. 

If  the  blow-pipe  used  has  a  very  small  aperture 
and  the  heat  thrown  on  gradually,  until  the  surface 
becomes  smooth,  little  trouble  will  be  experienced. 


EXPLANATION    OF    PLATE, 


Fig.  1.  Sectional  view  of  nest  of  4  rings, — 3,  3J4,  33^,  3%  inches  in  diameter,  and  2  inches 
deep.  A  flange  is  formed  where  the  rings  open,  and  is  held  together  by  a  tin  clamp,  6  ;  the 
position  of  the  impression  is  shown  at  a. 

Figs.  II,  III. — Sectional  views  of  upper  and  lower  jaw:  b,  gate  for  receiving  metal,  with 
branches,  e  e,  for  lower  cast:  c  c,  vents  for  escape  of  air  :  made  always  at  the  point  which 
will  be  highest,  when  the  matrix  is  in  position  for  pouring  :  d  d,  notches  cut  before  pouring 
the  second  half  of  matrix,  to  keep  the  two  halves  in  right  position. 

Fig.  IV.  Vertical  section  of  matrix  through  (<,)  central  incisor:  p,  space  for  plate:  6, 
gate  :  I,  luting. 

Fig.  V.  Completed,  view  of  the  same,  ready  for  the  oven,  bound  with  wire,  w  le  w,  and 
luted,  112  2,  from  one  air  vent,  c,  round  the  entire  matrix,  over  the  line  of  junction,  to  the 
other  air  vent,  c  ;  the  joint  is  beveled  oft"  to  receive  part  of  the  luting,  which  also  passes  out- 
side of  the  binding  wires. 

Fig.  VI.  Moulding  tool — 1,  front  view;  2,  side  view  ;  3,  section  across  centre.  One  end, 
a,  pointed,  to  work  between  the  teeth,  the  other  shaped  as  6  or  c,  both  points  curved,  as  shown 
in  side  view.  Instrument  6  inches  long,  made  of  untempered  steel,  the  centre  faced  with 
wood. 

Fig.  VII.  Oven  to  dry  moulds.  A  circular  tin,  o,  6  inches  in  diameter,  7  inches  deep,  sup- 
ported on  three  feet,  e  e,  2  inches,  high ;  d,  movable  cover,  with  central  opening :  b,  per- 
forated sheet  iron  shelf,  4  inches  from  top  of  oven,  with  smaller  circle  of  sheet  iron,  (not 
perforated,)  suspended  1  inch  below,  to  break  the  direct  heat  of  spirit  lamp.  In  bottom  of 
oven  is  an  opening  2  inches  in  diameter,  to  receive  spout,  m,  of  lamp,  I :  or  where  gas  is  used, 
one  of  Shaw's  heaters. 

Fig.  VIII.  Sectional  views,  showing  the  attachment  of  the  plate  to  the  teeth.  1,  block 
section,  showing  ofl'set  on  the  inside  and  outside  of  the  base,  and  hole  running  into,  but  not 
necessarily  through  the  block.  The  block  carver  should  avoid  making  these  holes  parallel. 
2,  gum  tooth  with  ofiset  at  top  of  gum,  hole  through  the  tooth  (where  the  tooth  is  of  suffi- 
cient size  to  admit  it, )  and  notches  across  the  back.  3,  plain  tooth,  dovetailed  at  the  base  and 
notches  across  back,  aad  if  large  enough,  with  hole  partially  or  entirely  through  the  axis. 
4,  a,  top,  and  b,  side  view  of  a  clasp,  showing  the  dovetail,  by  which  it  is  fastened  into  the 
plate;  the  melted  metal  should  flow  on  both  sides  of  this  tongue,  the  retention  being  a  me- 
chanical one,  as  in  the  case  of  the  teeth,  and  not  a  soldered  union. 

Fig.  IX.  1,  vertical  section  of  pivot  tooth.  2,  cross  section,  showing  the  notches  ground 
in  the  sides  of  the  tooth. 

Fig.  X.  1,  vertical  section  of  the  ordinary  plate  tooth,  with  very  narrow  platina  strip,  sol- 
dered (with  silver  solder,)  to  pins  ;  2,  back  view;  3,  cross  section  of  same.  In  cases  requiring 
shoulder  teeth,  the  shoulder  is  very  readily  formed  of  metal  in  either  the  pivot  or  the  plate 
tooth. 

Fig.  XI.  Scrapers  for  dressing  plates  after  casting.  1,  convex  and  cuts  towards  the  hand, 
2,  concave  and  cuts /row  the  hand.  3,  end  view  of  1  and  2.  The  oval  shape  of  these  ihstru- 
ments  gives  the  advantage  of  several  degrees  of  curvature  in  the  same  instrument.  They  are 
both  very  easily  sharpened. 

Fig.  XII.  1,  cross  section  of  six  front  gum  teeth,  designed  to  show  the  dovetail  form  of  the 
metal  between  the  teeth,  connecting  with  the  continuous  backing.  If  the  teeth  touch  back 
and  front,  as  at  a,  the  metal  between  forms  a  pin,  and  has  less  strength  than  the  dovetail.  2, 
cross  section  of  a  block  in  which  dovetail  grooves  in  the  base  are  made  instead  of  holes  run- 
ning into  the  block.  Either  method  of  attachment,  combined  with  the  offset  inside  and  out, 
is  secure. 


Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


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